Milton Park stabbing victim from Portsmouth says suspended jail term for attacker is 'nothing'

Ryan Bacon was slashed with a knife in Milton Park by Blu Marriott, who was handed a suspended prison sentence at Portsmouth Crown Court. Picture: Ryan Bacon

IT worker Ryan Bacon, 23, still suffers with a loss of sensation in his hand after Blu Marriott cut him with the blade in Milton Park in Portsmouth.

Portsmouth Crown Court previously heard Marriott, also 23, was ‘extremely jealous’ that Mr Bacon was now in a relationship with his ex-partner.

As reported, jealousy boiled over in the clash near the children’s play area when Mr Bacon moved to defend himself as Marriott pulled a knife from his belt after the pair traded insults.

Speaking to The News, Pompey fan Mr Bacon said: ‘To me, a six-month suspended sentence is nothing when they’re trying to crack down on knife crime.

Jealous man slashed love rival in Portsmouth's Milton Park in daylight stabbing

‘To me that says you can take a knife, you can stab someone, you can say “I’ve got autism” and get nothing for it.’

Marriott had recently been diagnosed with autism before the incident at about 5pm on May 11 last year, a sentencing hearing was told on Friday, January 10.

Mr Bacon was taken by ambulance to Queen Alexandra Hospital in Cosham for treatment, received a dressing but then returned to friends in the Shepherd’s Crook pub after waiting for several hours at A&E.

He went to St Mary’s the next day and then underwent surgery on his right thumb.

‘I feel that it should’ve been a custodial sentence,’ Mr Bacon added. ‘However now that it isn’t custodial I hope he gets the help he needs.

‘I don’t feel that next time somebody is going to be as lucky.’

He added: ‘The only reason he hit my hand was because I was aiming to block it. I’m quite shocked. It would have done a fair bit more damage.’

Marriott, of Crofton Road, Milton, was convicted of assault occasioning actual bodily harm.

He was handed a six-month jail term suspended for 12 months. He must complete a thinking skills programme with probation, 15 days’ rehabilitation activities and 80 hours’ unpaid work. A restraining order bans him from contacting the victim.

Mr Bacon was unable to work or drive after the incident. He and his 20-year-old partner are now expecting a baby girl in April.

Marriott admitted sending malicious communications, on Facebook in the period before the incident, and having a bladed article.